Joshua Zirkzee finally came good to get Ruben Amorim’s Manchester United revolution properly up and running.
New boss Amorim got his first Premier League win as the Red Devils ran riot against hapless Everton. Under-pressure striker Zirkzee netted twice to end his long goal drought as United delivered their biggest league victory of the season.
Yet home fans had wondered what Amorim was doing starting with the big Dutchman. He’d only scored once in 18 games - on his debut against Fulham in August - and Rasmus Hojlund had fired a brace against Bodo/Glimt on Thursday night, so too had Rashford on Sunday.
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But this was a third game in eight days and the first of nine fixtures in December so the Portuguese was always going to rotate. With Hojlund dropped to the bench, Zirkzee certainly repaid the faith shown in him by delivering an impressive display.
Before his well-taken brace, he’d already produced some slick link-up play. And the £36.5m summer signing from Bologna, then produced a killer pass to set United on their way for their third goal just 20 seconds into the second half.
Ruben Amorim
Ruben Amorim took his first Premier League win on Sunday (Image: Getty Images)
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He turned and curled a ball through to unleash the impressive Amad as the Everton defence dozed like they’d not realised the second half had started. Amad held his nerve before slipping the ball into Marcus Rashford who finished confidently with a right-footed strike past England colleague Jordan Pickford.
There was no way back for Everton from there. They have the worst scoring record in the Premier League with just ten all season and now haven’t hit the net in four matches.
If there was any doubt, Zirkzee made sure with his second in the 63rd minute. Everton skipper James Tarkowski was dispossessed by Amad - who harassed the visitors all afternoon - and the rapid winger raced forward before calmly finding the Dutchman.
Marcus Rashford
Marcus Rashford also scored a brace on Sunday
Zirkzee, with his confidence now surging, made no mistake against Pickford. Everton had actually had the better chances in the first half before Jarrad Branthwaite endured a nightmare spell to see United take control.
First, he deflected Rashford’s half-volley into his own goal in the 34th minute. Rashford, loitering on the edge of the penalty area, latched onto Bruno Fernandes’ pinpoint floated corner sweetly and all the Everton defender could do was stick out a hopeful leg.
But Branthwaite - the subject of a £45m bid from the Red Devils in the summer - was fully to blame seven minutes later caught dallying on the ball. Amad pounced, pickpocketing the England centre-half for Fernandes to race clear and cross for Zirkzee to slide home.
Bruno Fernandes of Manchester United is challenged by Ashley Young of Everton during the Premier League match between Manchester United FC and Everton FC at Old Trafford on December 01, 2024 in Manchester, England
Man Utd were a different class against Everton (Image: Getty Images)
With advent calendars being opened everywhere on the first day of December, it is the start of the festive season - and Branthwaite sent an early gift-wrapped present to United. Beforehand, Casemiro needed to be on his toes to deny Dwight McNeil after a misplaced Lisandro Martinez misplaced pass.
But Beto produced an awful fluffed finish to waste Everton’s first clear chance. He did better soon after, racing onto McNeill’s pass and rounding Andre Onana - but still could only find the side-netting under pressure from Matthijs de Ligt.
And it proved costly as Zirkzee and United took firm control with Amorim’s name being chanted loudly around Old Trafford long before the final whistle. After starting with a draw at Ipswich last Sunday and the midweek Europa League win, this felt like the ex-Sporting boss truly making his mark.